Governor Hobbs signs SB 1671; new budget sets $4M spend authority plus $500K a year from event wagering funds.

The Arizona Department of Gaming has secured a six-year continuation after Governor Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1671, following the 2026 legislative session that adjourned June 12, 2026. The continuation also covers the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission and the Arizona Racing Commission.

The Department said SB 1671 affirms its authority to regulate tribal gaming, event wagering and fantasy sports, horse racing and simulcast wagering, and boxing and mixed martial arts.

In parallel, the Department said Senate Bill 1847 and the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget expand expenditure authority for its Division of Problem Gambling. The budget authorizes $4,000,000 in total spending for the Division, which the agency said is a 20% increase from FY26.

The Department also said the legislature granted an annual $500,000 expenditure authority to use Event Wagering funds to support problem gambling, and that the Division will have grant oversight authority for the first time.

“Arizona first established the Department of Gaming in 1995 – and more than thirty years later, we remain excited about world-class regulation benefiting the entire state,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “I’m grateful to Governor Hobbs and leaders in the state legislature, particularly continuation bill sponsor State Senator Shawnna Bolick, who thoroughly reviewed our agency with a deep commitment to public service, and I am pleased that the Department secured its continuation, which will allow us to strengthen our focus points in robust consumer protection and integrity.”

“The new state budget will strengthen longstanding investments in problem gambling assistance made possible through partnerships with Arizona’s Tribal Nations and the Arizona Lottery,” said Elise Mikkelsen. “We continue to see strong demand from individuals and families seeking information, resources, and treatment for gambling-related harm. This increased funding will help us expand the continuum of care and ensure more Arizonans have access to effective, inclusive, and timely support.”

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Bronze card has been claimed during the group stage; silver and gold prizes remain available until 31 July.

Tonybet said it has paid out its first major prize in its World Cup Card Collection campaign for Canadian customers (excluding Ontario), after a player secured the promotion’s bronze card worth $15,000 CAD.

The operator said the World Cup Card Collection includes 51 cards to collect during the tournament: 48 digital cards tied to participating World Cup nations, plus three unique cards—gold, silver and bronze—linked to a $150,000 CAD total prize fund.

According to Tonybet, the bronze card has been available through the World Cup’s group stage and has now been claimed. The silver card is available during the knockout rounds up to the quarter-finals, while the gold card is held back for the closing semi-finals and final.

Tonybet Head of Product Kiryl Liudvikevich said: “With Canada co-hosting the World Cup for the first time, the tournament has felt closer to home than ever before for Canadians, and it has already delivered a moment most supporters could only dream about with the national team advancing to the knockout stages.

“For one lucky Canada supporter, it has now produced another story that will be worth retelling long after the final whistle has gone – with our lucky winner among the first Tonybet customers to win one of the unique cards in our World Cup Card Collection, taking home a cool $15,000 for managing to get his hands on bronze. Who will end up with silver and gold?”

Tonybet said the same three unique cards are also in circulation across its other markets, with varying outcomes so far. The World Cup Card Collection campaign runs until 31 July, with a $150,000 CAD prize pool for Canada and separate prize pools in other markets.

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BC.GAME will use iGB L!VE in London to showcase its sportsbook strategy, with the team exhibiting at stand L60 and positioning sports betting as a growing part of its expansion across regulated markets.

The company said the presence follows its recent integration of BETBY into BC Engine, which it described as a move to strengthen its sportsbook ecosystem and broaden betting options.

BC.GAME will also present BC Engine, its rewards system that it says applies a crypto staking-inspired model to reward distribution. The company said the initiative has surpassed $2.5 million in rewards distributed since launch.

The show marks the first European trade show appearance for Kar Kheng Giam as BC.GAME CEO since his appointment in March, with the company’s business development team also attending.

The iGB L!VE appearance comes amid wider international activity for BC.GAME. In April, the company said it secured a sports betting and casino licence in Nigeria from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority and launched under the domain name bcbet.ng. BC.GAME also said it holds licences in Kenya and Anjouan.

BC.GAME CEO KK Giam said: “Sports betting is a key area of focus for BC.GAME and iGB L!VE provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the progress we have made.

“Our team will be on hand to discuss our sportsbook capabilities, recent product developments and our vision for the future of sports betting within the BC.GAME ecosystem. Whether you’re interested in sports, casino or our broader platform strategy, we’d love to welcome you to stand L60 for a conversation.

“We’ll also be demonstrating how products such as BC Engine complement the wider player experience and help create a more engaging ecosystem for our users.”

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